For three seasons, the Arkansas Razorbacks gymnastics program has been able to count on one constant—the presence of a fierce competitor in the floor exercise. She has been the anchor on floor exercise since her redshirt freshman season, and the Razorbacks have been used to seeing her close out home meets with aplomb. On April 3, those expectations grew heavier. This wasn’t just any meet. It was the Regionals, and the Razorbacks were staring at powerhouses: the No. 1 ranked LSU Tigers, perennial contenders Michigan, and wildcards like Maryland. 

Heading into their best event- the floor exercise, Arkansas was deep in the fight of their season. They started business as usual with Kalyxta Gamiao and Hailey Klein both scoring an identical 9.850. Maddie Jones followed with a sharp, clean routine, highlighted by precise tumbling, earning a 9.925. Makenzie Waligora kept the pace, matching that 9.925, keeping the Gymbacks in the hunt. The attention then turned to redshirt junior Frankie Price.

Price was going to anchor as per norm. She has been vital to a Razorbacks floor lineup that ranks ninth in the country and in her redshirt junior season, she has been tied for 19th nationally. But having been on a two-week break, she showed signs of rust.

On her first tumbling she went down with an apparent injury. She landed hard, both knees crashing into the floor. In an instant, the music kept playing, but everything else stopped. The energy in the arena shifted from electric to eerie. Price, visibly shaken, couldn’t finish. Trainers rushed in. She was helped off the floor by assistant coach Chris Brooks, and just like that, her night ended.

Price has a history of knee injuries, including a torn ACL and LCL in her right knee during a vault in her senior year of high school. It’s unclear at this time whether Thursday’s injury involved the same leg, but the shock echoed far beyond University Park. On X, one fan captured the raw emotion of Razorback Nation: “FRANKIE PRICE F*** IM GUTTED.” Price has become a fan favorite over the years and not only because of her precision but how her routine gets everyone to take notice, as it involves a Snoop Dogg touch.

Every season, like clockwork, Price’s floor routine has featured the unmistakable beat of “The Next Episode” by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. And every time that iconic intro hits, she throws her head back and pantomimes shouting “Frank Dawg,” something that fans absolutely love. Seeing her night cut short in the Regional semifinal quad meet has left many of her fans worried. Her head coach, Jordyn Wieber, sent a rallying call to her teammates.

“We’re going to do Saturday for Frankie,” she said. Wieber mentioned that Price has suffered a lower-body injury and they would evaluate her status. But judging by her demeanor in the post-meet interview, it appears unlikely that Price will be able to compete in the regional final. Despite Price’s fall, the Razorbacks posted a 49.475 on the event and made it to their second successive Regional Final. Price’s injury is the latest blow for Arkansas, which is already dealing with key absentees.

Leah Smith is still recovering from an Achilles injury, Lauren Williams’ season ended early after she had elbow surgery same as bars specialist Reese Drotar. Adding Price to this list hurts their chances as they enter Saturday’s final with renewed vigor. There too, they will have their task cut out.

Waiting for them in the Regional Finals are powerhouses: the top-ranked LSU Tigers, No. 8 Michigan State, and No. 9 Kentucky. The top two teams out of this session will advance to the NCAA Gymnastics Championships April 17-19 in Fort Worth, Texas. Every tenth of a point will matter. Every stuck landing could be the difference between heartbreak and history. And yet, for Arkansas, the motivation has never been clearer.

 This isn’t just another meet. This is for Frankie. And on Saturday, the Razorbacks probably plan to fight like never before. The fans are also ready. On Thursday, they showed their respect for the fallen Razorback.

The Arkansas gymnastics fans feel emotional about the scene 

“Praying for Frankie Price and Arkansas.”A simple post on X, but one that captured the feeling of an entire fanbase—aching, anxious, and united behind their fallen floor exercise general.

What happened on Thursday felt like a miracle wrapped in heartbreak. Despite the scare, despite the pain, Frankie Price showed up. She was there—back in that anchor position on floor exercise, the event she’s made her own. Her music played. The crowd held its breath. And though her routine was cut short again, and her score wouldn’t count toward the team total, her presence alone was everything. And still, somehow, the Razorbacks delivered.

It was a statement of depth, of resilience, and of love. They punched their ticket to Saturday’s Regional Final. But it came at a cost that couldn’t be measured in tenths. “Absolutely gutted for her,” another fan wrote to signify that achievement. “Arkansas was already guaranteed to move on so that makes it even more of a sucky situation. Wishing her the best and a quick recovery.” But for some, it wasn’t just about Thursday. It was about a pattern. A painful one.

“First Lauren, then Reese, then Leah, and now Frankie Price… are you kidding me??? Ark are cursed,” someone posted, disbelief pouring from their keyboard. Whether it’s fate, bad luck, or just a string of cruel coincidences, the weight is the same. The loss hits just as hard. In a program built on grit and grace, this blow is personal.

“Oh, Frankie Price devastated for her and her team,” one fan posted. And truly, that sums it up best. Because gymnastics isn’t just about scores. It’s about stories. And, Frankie Price’s story—this chapter—hurts. But knowing her, it’s far from the last.